Month: October 2025
Over 2,000 Cops Deployed for Undas 2025 Security in Zamboanga Peninsula; 27 Drivers Test Positive for Drugs
ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY, Philippines — Police in the Zamboanga Peninsula have deployed more than 2,000 personnel to secure cemeteries, transport hubs, and major routes as Filipinos mark Undas 2025, officials said Thursday. Police Regional Office 9 (PRO-9) Director Brig. Gen. Eleazar Matta said the security plan covers 226 cemeteries, memorial parks, and columbaria across the region. The
Young Sibugaynons learn to fight cyber threats, misinformation in DICT caravan
IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay — Young Sibugaynons are being equipped to become responsible digital citizens in a world where information spreads at lightning speed and online dangers lurk behind every click. The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Zamboanga Sibugay rolled out its Cybersecurity Information Caravan this week — a campaign aimed at promoting digital
BTA to Remain in Office Until 2026 Elections, Palace Confirms
IPIL, Philippines (AP) — The Office of the President on Thursday affirmed that members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) will continue to serve as the interim government of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) until elected officials assume office, following the Supreme Court’s decision to postpone regional parliamentary elections originally scheduled for
How Christians Should Respond to Halloween?
IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay — Christians find themselves divided over how to approach Halloween — a night that blends childhood fun with centuries-old fears. For some, it’s a harmless tradition of costumes and candy. For others, it carries echoes of pagan rituals and spiritual danger — a reminder that not everything that glitters in the dark
Scientists Warn Planet’s Vital Signs ‘Worsening Rapidly’ as Earth Heads Toward Climate Chaos
MANILA (AP) — Many of Earth’s “vital signs” — key indicators of the planet’s health — are deteriorating at record rates, according to the 2025 State of the Climate report released by an international coalition of scientists led by Oregon State University. The report warns that humanity is “hurtling toward climate chaos,” citing global data
DSWD Races to Aid Basilan Families as Clan Feud Sparks New Displacement in Tipo-Tipo
TIPO-TIPO, Basilan — As the rattle of gunfire faded across the hills of Tipo-Tipo, families huddled in makeshift shelters, clutching what little they could carry. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Wednesday rushed to deliver food and relief supplies to residents forced to flee their homes after a clan conflict — known locally
Starving in Sudan: Trapped Civilians in Sudan’s War Eat Leaves to Survive as Churches Fall Silent
EL FASHER, Sudan (AP) — In the besieged Sudanese city of El Fasher, families have been reduced to eating leaves and animal feed. For 500 days, an estimated 260,000 people have been trapped as paramilitary fighters from the Rapid Support Forces tighten their hold, choking off food, medicine and hope. “There is death everywhere,” one
BARMM holds medical-surgical mission in Tawi-Tawi, eyes 18,000 patients
COTABATO CITY (October 28, 2025) – The Bangsamoro Government, through the Ministry of Health (MOH), has launched a large-scale medical and surgical mission in Tawi-Tawi targeting more than 18,000 patients from across the province. The initiative, conducted under the Oplan Serbisyong Angkop sa Mamamayan (OplanSAM) program of the Kasama MOH sa Kalusugan (KMS) and the
Basilan Town Under Siege as Rival MILF Commanders Clash; Thousands Flee
ZAMBOANGA CITY (October 28) — Local officials in Basilan province said the municipality of Tipo-Tipo is “under siege” after armed clashes erupted between two rival commanders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), forcing most residents to flee their homes. Basilan District 2 Board Member Dr. Nhur Khan Istarul said tension has gripped Tipo-Tipo since Sunday
P-EAGA Environment Cluster Holds 2nd Semester Meet in Zamboanga Sibugay
IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay — The Philippine–East ASEAN Growth Area (P-EAGA) Environment Cluster held its second semester meeting on October 22–23 at Badsbro Hotel here to align regional environmental programs and strengthen cooperation among Mindanao regions. P-EAGA is the Philippine component of the Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), a sub-regional economic cooperation initiative established
Why Timor-Leste’s ASEAN Membership Matters to the Philippines
MANILA — Timor-Leste’s entry as the 11th member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) marks a new chapter for regional cooperation — one that carries strategic implications for the Philippines as it navigates tensions in the South China Sea and pushes for a rules-based Indo-Pacific. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., attending the 47th ASEAN Summit
ICC Affirms Jurisdiction Over Rodrigo Duterte in Landmark Crimes Against Humanity, and What Does It Mean
MANILA — Once hailed by supporters as a tough-talking populist who “made the streets safe again,” former Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte now faces a far different reckoning — before the world’s highest criminal court. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has confirmed that it will proceed with charges of crimes against humanity against Duterte, marking
